What makes an urban neighborhood more livable? Being able to get around safely is one piece of the puzzle. But the spaces we occupy while moving from place to place matter, too. Trees and other vegetation help make these spaces more resilient. They can serve as “living buffers” between people and air pollution. They make neighborhoods more walkable, spending time outdoors more enjoyable, and can even improve our health.
Thanks to a Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) grant funded by the California Air Resources Board, WOEIP is partnering with the Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation, Hyphae Design Labs, and the City of Oakland to plant hundreds of trees throughout West Oakland.
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Tree equity: Who gets trees in their neighborhood?
Why are some neighborhoods so much greener than others? Walking around West Oakland, it can sometimes be hard to believe you’re in a town named after the mighty oak. It turns out that neighborhoods that were historically redlined in the ‘30s and ‘40s live today with only half the tree cover of their “greenlined” neighborhood counterparts. We want to restore the safety, accessibility, and joy that trees bring by planting more of them over the coming year.
Using trees to foster a more resilient community
Trees provide a lot of community benefits:
- Trees cool things down in an ever-warming climate by providing necessary shade and keeping pavement from absorbing the sun’s heat.
- They naturally remove pollutants from the air.
- They create a habitat for birds and other wildlife, supporting a diverse ecosystem.
- Trees create a more attractive, walkable neighborhood, which encourages people to get out of their cars and take to the streets.
- Tree roots absorb rainwater to help prevent flooding.
- Trees are a natural stress reliever in a hectic urban environment. Just being around trees can lower blood pressure and improve health.
How our tree planting program works
We’re helping to plant hundreds of trees throughout West Oakland. You can request trees where you live, or tell us where you’d like to see more trees anywhere throughout the neighborhood.
Request a tree at a specific address
- Tell us where you want a tree.
- We’ll send a tree expert out to confirm if the site is eligible for planting.
- If the site is eligible, our experts will help select the right type of tree—and even plant it for you.
- We’ll work with you and local tree experts to keep the tree happy and healthy for years to come.
Want to know more?
For project details, questions, or to share your feedback directly, email trees@woeip.org.
Your email will be delivered to WOEIP and Hyphae Design Labs.
Frequent questions
How can I get a free tree planted in West Oakland?
To have the City of Oakland plant a tree in West Oakland free of charge, complete our tree request form. Our project partners will work with you to determine if the location is eligible for planting. If it is, our team will help secure a City permit and arrange to have an appropriate species of tree planted at your location.
Who can request a free tree?
Anyone can request a tree in West Oakland by completing our tree request form. You do not need to own property. We can work with landlords and business owners to get planting permission.
How many trees can I request?
As many as you want! We may be able to plant more than one tree at a location, if certain criteria are met.
Where can trees be planted?
Our tree-planting partner, Oakland Parks and Rec Foundation, can plant a tree anywhere near a sidewalk, where the shade of the tree would cool the sidewalk for pedestrians. This includes empty tree wells (pre-cut holes), strips of grass along the sidewalk, and even some front yards.
The specific location must meet certain criteria. Some of these include having enough space for roots, being clear of obstacles such as power lines, underground utilities, ramps, and more.
What if I’m a renter?
You can request a tree even if you’re a renter, and we’ll try to work with your landlord to get planting permission. You can choose to remain anonymous. Fill out our tree request form, or email us at trees@woeip.org.
What if I want a tree where I work or go to school?
You can request a tree where you work or at your school, and we will work with the business or property owner to get planting permission. You can choose to remain anonymous. Fill out our tree request form, or email us at trees@woeip.org.
What if I’m not in West Oakland?
We’re currently only able to plant trees within West Oakland. But you can request a tree anywhere in Oakland, and we’ll try to connect you with an option in your area.
I filled out the interest form—now what?
If the request is for your own property, one of our partners (OPRF, Trees for Oakland, and/or Hyphae Design Lab) will evaluate the location to make sure a tree can be safely planted. This may include making one or more site visits (you do not need to be present for these). You might see markings on the sidewalk during this process. Our project partners will then coordinate with you to select a tree and sign a tree planting application with the City. Once the permit is granted, our team will coordinate with you to plant your tree.
If the request is for a property you don’t own, our project team will attempt to contact the property owner directly to see if they are interested in hosting a tree.
Do I have to sign anything?
If you own the property where the tree will be planted, you will need to sign and submit a permit application. Our planting team can help you through the process, including selecting an appropriate species and filing the paperwork.
When will trees be planted?
Planting will begin Nov. 1, 2025, when the weather is safest for young tree roots.
How will trees be cared for?
If a planting is in a municipal area or on public property, we will install irrigation when appropriate.
Residents and/or property owners will maintain the plants they request. If this might be a hardship for you, we want to know (email us)! We are building a coalition of community organizations, residents, and tree lovers to help care for West Oakland’s urban forest. If you’d like to participate, we’d love to have you. Email us at trees@woeip.org.
In partnership with:
This work is made possible with funding from:
We’re bringing more trees to West Oakland through a Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) grant funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The West Oakland STEP grant aims to improve transportation equity in West Oakland by centering the community’s lived knowledge and expertise in transportation projects. STEP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.